The Chinese Cultural Centre is hosting The Long Voyage – an exhibition of images and artefacts from China’s long history and tradition in establishing trade routes and sharing its culture.

The Maritime Silk Road connected the ancient civilisations of the East and West by way of trade and commerce, culture and art exchange. It stretched out across eastern Asia, southeast Asia, southern Asia, western Asia, eastern Africa and finally reached Europe via the Red Sea, linking up numerous ports along its course.

Ancient merchants from China, India, Arabia, Egypt, Rome, Greece and other nations were committed to exploiting these maritime trade routes.

Since ceramics, silk, tea, spices were staple goods of the commodity markets, the Maritime Silk Road has also been referred to as the Ceramic Road, Spice Road and so on. China’s outstanding achievements in the fields of art, science, philosophy and much more can still be traced back to these old routes.

The Long Voyage presents images of cultural objects and historic materials that witnessed China’s significant contribution to human civilisation.

The exhibiton opens today from 9am till 12.30pm at the China Cultural Centre in Valletta. Entrance to this event is free. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/cccmalta/.